Overview

The epic story of how humans evolved from intimate chimp communities into a world-dominating speciesIf a chimpanzee ventures into the territory of a different group, it will almost certainly be killed. But a New Yorker can fly to Los Angeles--or Borneo--with very little fear. Psychologists have done little to explain this: for years, they have held that our biology puts a hard upper limit--about 150 people--on the size of our social groups. But human societies are in fact vastly larger. How do we manage--by and large--to get along with each other? In this paradigm-shattering book, biologist Mark W. Moffett draws on findings in psychology, sociology and anthropology to explain the social adaptations that bind societies. He explores how the tension between identity and anonymity defines how societies develop, function, and fail. In the vein of Guns, Germs, and Steel and Sapiens, The Human Swarm reveals how mankind created sprawling civilizations of unrivaled complexity--and what it will take to sustain them.

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9781549180170

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"""This fine work should have broad appeal to anyone curious about human societies, which is basically everyone."" -- ""Publishers Weekly (starred review)"""

This fine work should have broad appeal to anyone curious about human societies, which is basically everyone. -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Author Information

Mark W. Moffett, called a daring eco-adventurer by Margaret Atwood, is a biologist and research associate at the Smithsonian. He has also author four books and has been a regular guest on the Colbert Report, Conan, NPR's Fresh Air, and CBS Sunday Morning. He lives in New York City. A student of neuroscience and speech pathology, Sean Patrick Hopkins has translated his understanding of human behavior and vocal performance into a career in storytelling. His classical training and versatility with dialects has helped to create distinct and varied characters across many genres. In addition to narrating over 100 audiobooks, he has been seen and heard on film, television, video games, and stages in New York City and across the country. When not in the booth, you can find him buried in genealogy research, out exploring our National Parks, and raising an amazing daughter alongside his wife, fellow narrator Patricia Santomasso.

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